USC WR Ace Sanders to enter NFL draft

South Carolina's Ace Sanders (1) runs back a punt 63-yards for a touchdown against Michigan during the first quarter of the Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla.

Associated Press

South Carolina junior wide receiver Ace Sanders apparently told current and former teammates Tuesday that he declared for the upcoming NFL draft.

Sanders, along with all eligible underclassmen, had until Tuesday night to officially go pro; those players can change their minds by Friday if they don't sign with an agent.

While the school has yet to release an official announcement of Sanders' decision, players took to social media site Twitter to wish Sanders well.

Fellow receiver Nick Jones "tweeted" late Tuesday night that Sanders is "going to chase his dream."

Bruce Ellington, another receiver, posted that he was going to "miss playing beside (Sanders) but he's moving on to bigger and better things."

Former Gamecock cornerback and current Buffalo Bill Stephon Gilmore, who left after his junior season, wrote that Sanders was "going pro, another Gamecock going to make his dream come true."

Sanders himself posted this message Tuesday on Twitter: "Day of emotion for. Thank you #Gamecock Nation. I appreciate everything you did for me. #TearsOfJoy I love you guys!!!"

South Carolina is losing one of its top playmakers. Sanders, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound Bradenton, Fla., native, set the single-season school record for punt return yards in 2012. His play on special teams earned him All-SEC honors and could interest NFL teams.

Sanders was named Outback Bowl MVP for his performance earlier this month against Michigan; he caught two touchdowns and scored another on a 63-yard punt return in the Gamecocks' 33-28 win.

Sanders has played in 39 games in three seasons and is coming off his best season in 2012. He caught nine touchdowns, led the team with 45 receptions and scored twice on special teams while averaging 15.3 yards per punt return.

Sanders made several highlight-reel plays in 2012, including a 49-yard punt return against Missouri that was one of the top plays of the college football season and a 70-yarder that went for a touchdown against Georgia.

NOTED

The football team will be recognized for its successful 2012 season at halftime of Saturday's men's basketball game against Vanderbilt. Several players from the squad that finished 11-2 will be on hand, and coach Steve Spurrier will address the crowd. Fans attending the game will receive a souvenir card commemorating the 2012 season.